1908-S Barber Half Dollar. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC.

1908-S Barber Half Dollar. MS-66+ (PCGS). CAC. Toned with delicate lavender toning on both sides and accented by blue at the peripheries, this combination is beautiful. For a 1908-S half dollar, this example is memorable for the high quality surfaces and bold strike. Close examination of Liberty's cheek and the surrounding fields will scarcely find any signs of contact or handling, and they are much finer than normally encountered. The strike is bold on the eagle's claw and arrows, areas that are routinely found poorly struck, particularly on San Francisco Mint coins of this era. Ample luster is present to please the eye, and it would be hard to imagine a more desirable example of this elusive date and mint combination. The 1908-S has a mintage of 1,764,000 pieces and, as a 20th century Barber half dollar issue, ostensibly should be easy to find in most Mint State grades. Yet, as David Lawrence (1991) notes, it is "underrated because of fairly high mintage." In other words, its true scarcity is overlooked. The 1908-S, in fact, is a close second to the 1907-S in terms of Mint State rarity among late date Barber half dollars. Far finer than normally seen, even in the most exceptional cabinets, the offered example will attract much attention in this and future market appearances. Provenance: From Heritage's sale of the John C. Hugon Collection, January 2005 FUN Signature sale, lot 4252, as PCGS MS-66; our (Stack's) Brooklyn Sale, March 2007, lot 924, as NGC MS-66; Heritage's sale of the Dr. Peter and Janice Shireman Collection, January 2016 FUN Signature Auction, lot 5415. PCGS Population: 2; 2 finer (both MS-67). CAC Stickered Population: 2; 1. The former total includes coins certified both MS-66 and MS-66+. PCGS# 6515. NGC ID: 24N7. Click here for certification details from PCGS.

Estimate:£0.75

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